Mahabharata (English)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933

The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...

Section CVIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus asked, the tiger among Munis then answered those Rishis of ascetic wealth,

'Whom shall I blame for this? In fact, none else (than my own self) has offended against me!'

After this, O monarch, the officers of justice, seeing him alive, informed the king of it. The latter hearing what they said, consulted with his advisers, and came to the place and began to pacify the Rishi. fixed on the stake.

And the king said,

'O you best of Rishis, I have offended against you in ignorance.
I beseech you to pardon me for the same.
It behoves you not to be angry with me.'

Thus addressed by the king, the Muni was pacified. And beholding him free from wrath, the king took him up with the stake and endeavoured to extract it from his body. But not succeeding therein, he cut it off at the point just outside the body.

The Muni, with a portion of the stake within his body, walked about, and in that state practised the austerest of penances and conquered numberless regions unattainable by others. And for the circumstances of a part of the stake being within his body, he came to be known in the three worlds by the name of Ani-Mandavya (Mandavya with the stake within). And one day that Brahamana acquainted with the highest truth of religion went unto the abode of the god of justice.

And beholding the god there seated on his throne, the Rishi reproached him and said,

'What, pray, is that sinful act committed by me unconsciously, for which I am bearing this punishment?

O, tell me soon, and behold the power of my asceticism.'

"The god of justice, thus questioned, replied,

'O you of ascetic wealth, a little insect was once pierced by you on a blade of grass. You bearest now the consequence of the act.

O Rishi, as a gift, however small, multiplies in respect of its religious merits, so a sinful act multiplies in respect of the woe it brings in its train.'

On hearing this, Ani-Mandavya asked,

'O tell me truly when this act was committed by me.'

Told in reply by the god of justice that he had committed it, when a child, the Rishi said,

'That shall not be a sin which may be done by a child up to the twelfth year of his age from birth. The scriptures shall not recognise it as sinful. The punishment you have inflicted on me for such a venial offence has been disproportionate in severity.

The killing of a Brahmana involves a sin that is heavier than the killing of any other living being.

You shall, therefore, O god of justice, have to be born among men even in the Sudra order. And from this day I establish this limit in respect of the consequence of acts that an act shall not be sinful when committed by one below the age of fourteen.

But when committed by one above that age, it shall be regarded as sin.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Cursed for this fault by that illustrious Rishi, the god of justice had his birth as Vidura in the Sudra order. And Vidura was well-versed in the doctrines of morality and also politics and worldly profit. And he was entirely free from covetousness and wrath. Possessed of great foresight and undisturbed tranquillity of mind, Vidura was ever devoted to the welfare of the Kurus.'"

Conclusion:

This concludes Section CVIII of Book 1 (Adi Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 1 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section CVIII of Book 1 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Rishi, Muni, Mandavya, Vidura, Vaisampayana, Rishis; since these occur the most in Book 1, Section CVIII. There are a total of 12 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 28 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section CVIII of Book 1?

Section CVIII is part of the Sambhava Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 1 (Adi Parva). The Sambhava Parva contains a total of 78 sections while Book 1 contains a total of 19 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section CVIII as contained in Book 1?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section CVIII of Book 1 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section CVIII) is from 2012.

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